# NTSB GAA16CA203: Luscombe 8, N71796, Maryville, MO, April 26, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 25, 2016, 19:50 local (Apr 26, 2016, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Maryville, MO
- Coordinates: 40.353332, -94.916664 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3533&lon=-94.9167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 1, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93073/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93073
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA203

## Probable cause

The pilot's unintentional brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=8190102), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Luscombe 8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8190102), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that after a normal three point touchdown, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot further reported that he applied right rudder, but also unintentionally applied right heel brake. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over on the runway. The vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that after a normal three point touchdown, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot further reported that he applied right rudder, but also unintentionally applied right heel brake. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over on the runway. The vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71796](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71796-2019-03-09), registration cancelled 2019-03-09, S/N 3223, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8 (A)
- Registry model: [Luscombe 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8) (registry code 8190102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3223
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 2410
- Engines: Continental A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Adventist World Aviation
- Registered owner: Johnie Firestone
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2016
- Departed: K75, OSBORNE, KS
- Destination: EVU, Maryville, MO
- Airport: EVU, Northwest Missouri Rgnl, runway 32, 4,600 × 75 ft, concrete
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 10, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 24,500 total, 10 in this make and model, 20,500 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.69 inHg
- Observed at: KSDA, 33 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20160425004229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160425004229A), Apr 25, 2016: Luscombe 8, Maryville, MO, Substantial damage. Pilot was landing the aircraft on runway 32. Upon landing, the aircraft started to drift to the left of the runway. Pilot states he applied right rudder to…

## Other investigations on N71796 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB DEN77FTC26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FTC26), Jul 31, 1977: Luscombe 8A (N71796), Gillette, WY, substantial damage

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 24, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93073. 2.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440358&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440359&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440360&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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